Indigenous Law & Policy for Tribal Officials — 3-Day Intensive Seminar

Seminar Overview

Through a series of 50-minute sessions, you will learn about:

• Origins of tribal sovereignty, inherent rights of self-determination, and the relevance of treaties
• Federal Indian law fundamentals, including civil and criminal jurisdiction
• Defining Indian Country land status and contemporary #NDNLandBack efforts
• Taxation in Indian Country and the tax status of tribal entities and tribal benefits
• Tribal business development, governance, and tribal corporations
• Tribal constitutions, government reform, and law reform strategies
• Litigating breach of trust claims against the federal government
• Tribal environmental protection and regulatory authority
• Federal government relations, advocacy, and lobbying to promote tribal interests

Workshop presenters bring extensive experience in tribal law, governance, business, and federal advocacy.
They use traditional legal materials, current events, and real-world case studies to illustrate key concepts.
The format is interactive, with ample opportunities for Q&A, networking, and discussion.

Who Should Attend

This seminar is designed for elected and appointed officials of
federally-recognized American Indian nations and tribes, especially those who are
newly elected or recently appointed to office and want a strong foundation in Indigenous law and policy.

Dates, Location & Cost

• Dates: Wednesday–Friday, February 18–20, 2026
• Venue: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226
• Tuition: $1,500 per person
• Group Rate: $1,250 per person for three or more attendees from the same tribe
• Capacity: Limited to 25 students to maximize interaction and discussion

Registration

Registration is required and space is limited. Group registrations receive the discounted rate
when three or more participants from the same tribe enroll.

For registration questions or to confirm eligibility, please contact
[email protected].

Discounted Lodging

A room block has been secured at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino at a rate of
$279 per night, available at the expense of attendees until January 18, 2026.

To reserve a room within the block:

• Online:
  
  Group Booking Link
  
• By phone: Call the Wild Horse Pass reservation department at
  (520) 796-4900 and ask for the special group rate for
  “Indian Law & Policy for Tribal Officials”.

Sample Agenda (as of October 31, 2025)

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

• 8:30–9:00 AM – Registration, light breakfast, and welcoming remarks
• 9:00–9:50 AM – Session 1: Tribal Sovereignty and Its Relationship with American Law (Robert Odawi Porter)
• 10:00–10:50 AM – Session 2: Indian Law Fundamentals, Including Scope of Tribal Jurisdiction (Robert Odawi Porter)
• 11:00–11:50 AM – Session 3: Civil Jurisdiction in Indian Country (Bryan Shade)
• 12:00–1:00 PM – Lunch (on your own)
• 1:00–1:50 PM – Session 4: Federal and State Taxing Authority in Indian Country (Robert Odawi Porter)
• 2:00–2:50 PM – Session 5: Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country (Carol Heckman)
• 3:00–3:50 PM – Session 6: Federal Government Legislative and Administrative Structure (Bryan Shade & Todd Bertoson)
• 4:00–4:50 PM – Session 7: Federal Government Relations, Lobbying & Political Engagement, Part 1 – Process (Todd Bertoson)
• 5:00 PM – Reception
• 6:00 PM – Dinner (on your own)

Thursday, February 19, 2026

• 9:00–9:50 AM – Session 8: Tribal Constitutions and Government Reform (Robert Odawi Porter)
• 10:00–10:50 AM – Session 9: Elements of Federal Court Litigation (Carol Heckman & Bryan Shade)
• 11:00–11:50 AM – Session 10: Breach of Trust Actions Against the Federal Government (Carol Heckman & Bryan Shade)
• 12:00 PM – Lunch (on your own)
• 1:00–1:50 PM – Session 11: Federal Government Relations, Lobbying & Political Engagement (Todd Bertoson & Robert Odawi Porter)
• 2:00–2:50 PM – Session 12: Tribal Lands Issues, Including Fee-to-Trust, Leasing & Restricted Fee Lands Legislation (Robert Odawi Porter & Bryan Shade)
• 3:00–3:50 PM – Session 13: Tribal Environmental Protection and Regulation (Ian Shavitz)
• 4:00–4:50 PM – Session 14: Executive Branch Policy Opportunities (Robert Odawi Porter, Todd Bertoson & Bryan Shade)
• 5:00 PM – Dinner (on your own)

Friday, February 20, 2026

• 9:00–9:50 AM – Session 15: Current Issues in Tribal Economic and Tax Policy Reform (Robert Odawi Porter)
• 10:00–10:50 AM – Session 16: Federal Coverage of Tribal Operating Expenses Under the Section 105(l) Program (Bryan Shade)
• 11:00–11:50 AM – Session 17: Congressional and Administrative Outlook for 2026 (Todd Bertoson & Robert Odawi Porter)
• 12:00 PM – Closing remarks

About the Faculty

Robert Odawi Porter, Esq. (Seneca) is the Seminar host and moderator, a nationally recognized
advocate for the protection and expansion of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. His experience includes serving
as President of the Seneca Nation of Indians, tribal attorney general, founding chairman of Seneca Holdings LLC,
and tenured professor of Indian law at three national universities. He is President and Founder of
Odawi Law PLLC and Co-Managing Principal of the Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC.

Todd Bertoson is Co-Managing Principal of the Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC and a former Staff Director
of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, with a federal relations practice representing several sovereign Indian nations
and Native corporations.

Bryan Shade, Esq. (Keetoowah Cherokee) is an Associate in the Indian Law Practice Group of
Lippes Mathias LLP.

Carol Heckman, Esq. is a former Federal Magistrate Judge and Co-chair of the Indian Law Practice Group of
Lippes Mathias LLP.

Ian Shavitz, Esq. is an environmental law expert and partner at Lippes Mathias LLP.

More Information

For more information about the workshop, please contact
[email protected].

Learn more about Odawi Law PLLC at
www.odawilawpllc.com
and the Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC at
www.capitolhillpolicygroup.com.

Organized by Odawi Law PLLC and Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC.